Sylvester KOs Nespro!

Murat stops Sanavia

Photo: Sauerland Event

By Karl Freitag

Former middleweight world title challenger “Hurricane” Sebastian Sylvester (30-3, 15 KOs) returned to the ring with an explosive seventh round knockout of Gaetano Nespro (14-5, 2 KOs) to win the vacant IBF International middleweight title on Saturday night at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Germany. Sylvester dropped Nespro with a right hand at the end of round one and walked right through whatever resistance his opponent offered as he completely dominated the fight, finally laying out Nespro with a flush right hand in the seventh. Time was 2:39. It was Sylvester’s first fight since his unsuccessful WBA title challenge against Felix Sturm last November and also his first fight with trainer Karsten Röwer.

In a rematch, European super middleweight champion Karo Murat (19-0, 12 KOs) scored a tenth round TKO over former WBC super middleweight titlist Cristian Sanavia (40-5-1, 12 KOs). Murat was deducted a point in round one for a low blow, but also punished Sanavia over the early rounds. The rugged former world champion continued to apply pressure, but Murat was extremely sharp and connected with hard, clean punches throughout the fight. The bout was finally stopped between rounds nine and ten. Official time was :05 of round ten. Murat had won a close decision over Sanavia to win the Euro belt last April. This time the result was clear and impressive.

Unbeaten welterweight prospect Frank Shabani (17-0, 6 KOs) scored a third round KO over Giammario Grassellini (17-4-2, 10 KOs). The fight was waved off after Shabani floored Grassellini with a crushing right hand.

Promising unbeaten middleweight prospect Dominik Britsch (12-0, 5 KOs) destroyed Rachid Ouafi (6-4) in just 1:58 of round one. A Britsch left hook put Ouafi down for the count. Time was 2:32.

Unbeaten light middleweight Nick Klappert (9-0, 7 KOs) topped Karen Karapetjan (4-2-1, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision over eight. All three judges had it 80-71. Karapetjan was down in the third, but survived a heavy attack to go the full eight.